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September 29, 2007 has been declared by people at World Federation of the Deaf Congress in Madrid, Spain last summer as the International Day of the Deaf, or as some say, International Day of Sign Languages, or as I prefer, International Day of Deaf People and Sign Languages.

This link below shows how a Deaf man from France contacted Deaf leaders from various countries to aim for marches and celebrations all over the world on the same day, in the time frame of 2 to 4 pm.

http://mainsparis.skyrock.com/

It’s a day to collectively express our hurt, grief and anger at the fact that thousands of our Deaf babies and children are being denied Sign Language because of serious AUDISM problems. We all know Sign Language is best for us Deaf people just like it is very benefical for hearing babies. We know that it was Deaf people who created all Signed Languages in the world, and that Sign Language and Deaf People are always linked together, and the most ideal communication between Deaf people and hearing people is in Sign Language.

FIRST CHOICE: ORGANIZE A MARCH
I encourage as many Deaf communities all over USA as well as other countries to organize marches with at least black shirts and slogans on the shirts or signs.
One fantastic possible sign is Moe Klusza’s cartoon of a Deaf baby and a hearing baby. (check www.moeart.com/blog/ to see it and get permit to use it for your march) If you are organizing a march, be sure to get the proper permits from the city to ensure a peaceful and safe route with police help.

SECOND CHOICE: ORGANIZE A RALLY AT A MEANINGFUL PLACE
If a march is too late to organize this year, try a rally at a certain place where people can flock to and stay for up to two hours preferably 2-4 pm but a different time should be ok. Try the State Capitol, a City Hall, or a place renown for its banning use of Sign Language in Deaf babies or in Deaf children’s education. Be creative (and mindful of local regulations regarding rallies) like tying black ribbons around people’s wrists, using black T-shirts with slogans, doing a chant or a program celebrating Sign Language.

THIRD CHOICE: PLAN A INFORMATIONAL SESSION DURING A DEAF AWARNESS DAY EVENT
Time may be against us this year and since that week is already the Deaf Awareness Week for many places and there is probably an already scheduled event or two that day. If so, try and see if you can insert some time during that event to share some information about the plight that our Deaf babies and children are experiencing and mobilizing the local people for future activism for that cause.

FOURTH CHOICE: GO PUBLIC WEARING A T-SHIRT WITH A POWERFUL SLOGAN
Another choice is for those who are not able to join with others. Wear the black t-shirt, preferably with a powerful slogan, all day that day everywhere you go that day, publicly exposing the concept of the injustices now being done to our youth.

LAST CHOICE: ARRANGE A MOMENT OF SILENCE AT ANY EVENT YOU WILL BE THAT DAY.
If the above doesn’t work….ask for a moment of silence in any Deaf-related activity between 2 and 4 pm that day. A moment to be reminded of this ongoing injustice and to pledge ourselves to action during the coming year such as getting involved in some political activism, writing letters to protest or to educate, donating money. Pledge ourselves to:

SUPPORT OUR DEAF BABIES’ RIGHT TO SIGN LANGUAGE
SUPPORT THEIR RIGHT TO GATHER TOGETHER WITH OTHER DEAF PEOPLE
SUPPORT THEIR RIGHT TO FEEL POSITIVE ABOUT THEIR DEAF IDENTITY.

Be sure to VLOG/BLOG your group’s preparations, goals, and actions on that DAY. (no mention of this on the vlog, but DONT FORGET THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA!)

REMEMBER EACH OF US IS ACCOUNTABLE TO OUR FUTURE DEAF GENERATIONS AND THEIR HEALTHY, POSITIVE LIVES USING SIGN LANGUAGE AND AS DEAF PEOPLE.